Early Life
Vijayabahu was born around 1039, by the name of Kitti (Keethi) in Ruhuna principality, the southern part of the country. He was the son of King Moggallana, a ruler of Ruhuna and Queen Lokitha. Sri Lanka was then under control of Chola invaders from South India, but Ruhuna was controlled by Sinhala kings resisting the Chola rule. When he was fifteen years of age Kitti defeated the last of such rulers, Lokissara, with the aim of becoming the king of Ruhuna. Subsequently in 1055, he became king of Ruhuna and attained the name of ‘’’Vijayabahu’’’.
The Chola army frequently attacked Vijayabahu’s troops in Ruhuna. However, he managed to free Ruhuna from the Cholas by 1058 and take it under his complete control.
Read more about this topic: Vijayabahu I Of Polonnaruwa
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